Step stool

ABSTRACT

A step stool includes a base engageable with a support surface, such as a floor or the like, and an upstanding support member or standard having a lower end thereof received in a first socket depending from a flat top of the base. A first step member is supported on the base and the standard. A second step member or platform is mounted on an upper end of the standard whereby the first step member, standard, and second step member or platform are removably mounted relative to the base. The step stool may include one or more steadying members having a lower end portion thereof supported relative the second step member and extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to be grasped by a person standing on the step stool.

United States Patent 91 Cramer July 30, 1974 STEP STOOL [76] Inventor:Harold Cramer, 8419 Linden Ln.,

Prairie Village, Kans. 66207 [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:340,695

[52] US. Cl ..'l82/l5, 182/106, 182/151, 7

182/178 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 9/12 [58] Field of Search l82/15,l7,178,151,106 1 [56-] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v 2,665,1741/1954 Clarke .fl82/l78 3,599,750 8/1971 Serwcr 182/15 3,743,051 7/1973Cramer 182/15.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,429,414 3/1962 Germany 182/15 PrimaryExaminer-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmFishburn, Gold &Litman [57] ABSTRACT A step stool includes a base engageable with asupport surface, such as a floor or the like, and an upstanding supportmember or standard having a lower end thereof received in a first socketdepending from a flat top of the base. A first step member is supportedon the base and the standard. A second step member or platform ismounted on an upper end of the standard whereby the first step member,standard, and second step member or platform are removably mountedrelativeto the base. The step stool may include one or more steadyingmembers having a lower end portion thereof supported relative the secondstep member and extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to be graspedby a person standing on the step stool.

' .12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures STEP STOOL The present invention relatesto movable step stools and more particularly to a multiple step stoolhaving a base, a standard upstanding therefrom, a first step membersupported on the base and standard, and a second step member or platformmounted on an upper end of the standard.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a stepstool wherein the components thereof are adapted to be of syntheticresin by molding or extruding; to provide such a structure wherein thecomponents are separable for ease in shipment and storage; to providesuch a step stool having a base and a standard extending upwardlytherefrom and one or more step members supported on the base andstandard; to provide such a step stool having a hollow base adapted toreceive therein for storage and shipment other components of the stepstool whereby a container for the step stool need only be large enoughto enclose the hollow base; to provide such a step stool having supportsextending upwardly above an upper step or platform for steadying aperson on the step stool; to provide such a step stool wherein variousportions or components thereof engage in portions on respective othercomponents thereof and hold against relative rotation; to provide such astep stool having a removable member extending between and engaging asecond step member and the base for effecting engagement of the supportmember on the base and engagement of the second step member on thesupport member and for retaining the engagement; to provide such a stepstool which is movable under no load condition and engageable with afloor in response to load thereon; to provide such a step stool withsteadying or support members extending upwardly therefrom and adapted tobe grasped by a person using the step stool; and to provide such a stepstool which is sturdy in construction, stable under load, economical tomanufacture, attractive in appearance, durable in use, and particularlywell adapted for the proposed use. v

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with 'the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include anexemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features of the knock down step stool.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a step stool embodying features of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step stool.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33, FIG. 2 andshowing the wedge fit of the various components,

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts ofthe step stool.

FIG. .5 is a per'spectiveview of a modified form step stool.

FIG. '6 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of themodified form of step stool.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view showing the wedge fit of thevarious components of the modified form of step stool.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

The invention comprises a step stool having a base engageable with asupport surface and an upstanding standard or column having one endmounted'on the base and at least one step or platform mounted on thestandard above a flat top of the base. The mounting of the standard orcolumn on the base and the step or platform on the standard is such thatrelative movement between engaging components is substantiallyrestricted. The step stool may be a two-step structure or haveadditional step members intermediate the base and the platform.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 1 generally designates a step stool which includes a base 2engageable with a support surface 3, such as a floor or the like, and anupstanding support member or standard 4 having a lower end 5 thereofsuitably mountedon the base 2, as by being received in a first socket 6preferably depending from a flat top 7 of the base 2. At least one stepis suitably mounted on the standard 4 and in the illustrated structure,a first step member 8 has a lower end 9 of each of a pair of spaceddepending portions 10 thereof received in a respective one of a pair ofsecond sockets 11 also preferably depending from the flat top 7 of thebase 2. The first step member 8 is also suitably mounted on the standard4 and in the illustrated structure, the first step member 8 is alsosuitably mounted on the standard 4 and in the illustrated structure, thefirst step member 8 has an aperture 12 adapted to receive therein a hookportion 14 extending from the standard 4. A second step member orplatform 15 may also be mounted on the column or standard 4 and theillustrated second step member. 15 has a depending socket 16 adapted toreceive therein an upper end 17 of the standard 4 whereby the first stepmember 8, standard 4, and second step member: 15 are removably mountedon the base 2. I

The step stool 1 may include one or more steadying members having alower end portion thereof suitably supported and adapted to be graspedby a person using the step stool 1. The stepstool 1 preferably includesa plurality of post members 18 each having a lower end portion 19thereof received within a respective one of a plurality of sockets 20 inthe platform or second step member 15. A top member 18 extends betweenthe post members 18 and is adapted to be mounted thereon, as byreceiving each of the upper ends of the post members 18 in suitablerespective sockets 19' depending from the top member 18. Either the topmember 18. or one or more of'the post members 18 may be grasped by aperson using the step stool 1.

In the illustrated structure, the base 2 is a hollow member with frontand rear walls 21 and 22 respectively and side walls 23 and 24 extendingbetween the front and rear walls 21 and 22 and each depending from theflat top 7 and each having a'lower peripheral rim portion 25 adapted toreceive thereon a floor engaging bumper 26. The flat top 7 of the base 2provides a deck area which is suitably strengthened, as by plurality ofribs 27, to thereby support loads thereon, such as individuals standingor sitting on the flat top 7 of the base 2. it is desirable that theflat top 7 provide suitable traction for individuals standing thereon,therefore, a tread surface portion 28 is mounted -on the portion of theflat top 7 adjacent the front wall 21.

The hollow base 2 is preferably sized to receive therein the platform 15and one or more step members, as desired, and the standard 4 whereby thestep stool 1 may be shipped or stored in a minimum space. It is alsodesireable to coordinate the spacing of the front and rear walls 21 and22 and the side walls 23 and 24 with the size of the platform 15 and anystep members mounted on the standard 4 and base 2 whereby. the load of aperson standing or sitting on the step stool 1 is within the'walls ofthe base 2.

Itis desirable that the step, stool 1 be easily movable to adesiredlocation, therefore, arms 29 and 30 extend inwardly from the front wall21 and the rear wall 22 respectively .and are suitably formed to supportsuitable casters or rollers 31whereby the step stool 1 is rollablysupported and has the floor engaging bumper 26 positioned above thesupport surface 3 when under no load condition thereby being movable toa desired location. It is desirable that the casters or rollers 31 becollapsible vertically under load to permit the bumper 26 to engage thesupport surface 3 in response to loading, as by an individual standingor sitting on the knock down step stool 1. I i a The first socket 6 inthe flat top 7 of the base 2 is illustrated as being formed of sidewalls 32 and a bottom wall 33 thereby defining an upwardly open socketdepending from the flat top 7- of the base 2. The firstsocket 6 isnon-round whereby relative rotation between the base 2 and the standard4 is substantially restricted. A guide sleeve 34is positioned in thebottom wall 33 to define an aperture therein, for a purpose laterdescribed. 1 Y

- Eachof the second sockets 11 depending from'the ative rotation betweenthe base 2 and the respective depending portion of the first step member8 is substantially restricted. I

When the step stool 1 has one or more step members between the platformand the flat top 7 of the base 2, said step member or step memberseachhas a flat portion and a post portion depending therefrom to besupported on the next lower member.

The-first step member 8 is illustrated as a generally inverted U-shapedstructure having a generally flat portion 37 with the depending portionsor posts 10 each being non-roundfand illustrated as a generally planarportion having the width thereof positioned transverse to the longdimension of the flat portion 37. The flat portion 37 has a treadsurface portion 38 to provide traction for individuals standing on thefirst step member 8. The aperture 12 is positioned in the flat portion.37 adjacent a-rear'edge 39 thereof.

The lower end 9 of the'depending portions or posts 10 of the firststepmember 8 are preferably shaped to conform to the respective secondsocket 11 whereby relative rotation between the respective second socket11 and the depending portion or post 10 received therein issubstantially restricted. The lower end 9 of each of the dependingportions 10 of the first step member 8 are, therefore, shaped to conformto and to wedge fit within the respective second socket 11 dependingfrom the flat top 7 of the base 2.

The column or standard 4 may be any suitable .nonround shape, however,the standard 4 is illustrated as a generally square, tubular memberhaving opposite ends thereof open, for a purpose later described As bestseen in FIG. 3 the lower end 5 of the standard 4 is shaped to conform toand to wedge fit within the first socket 6 depending from the base 2.The lower end 5 of the standard 4 has a smaller dimension thantheremainder of the standard 4 thereby defining a shoulder 40 adapted toengage the flat top 7 of the base 2. The upper end 17 of the upstandingstandard 4 is shaped to conform to and to wedge fit within the dependingsocket 16 of the second step member 15. The upper end 17 of the.standard 4 has a projection or rib 41 extending outwardly therefrom todefine a shoulder 42, for a purpose later described.

The second step member or platform 15 is illustrated as a generallyplanar member having a tread'surface portion 43' covering substantiallythe entire surface area of the second step member or platform 15. in theillustrated embodiment, the depending socket 16 is formed of side walls44 depending from the platform or second step member 15 with each of theside walls 44 having a lower edge 45 adapted to be moved into engagementwith the shoulder 42 adjacent the upper end 17 of the standard 4. p Y

The second step member 15 has suitable surfaces defining a recess 46 inan upper surface of the second step member or platform 15. The recess 46has an aperture 47, for a purpose later described, in one of thesurfaces defining same and the aperture 47 is preferably coaxiallyaligned with the depending socket 16.

The sockets 20 for receiving the guide members'18 are illustrated asbeing positioned adjacent a rear edge 48 of the second step member orplatform 15 and are preferably defined by a side wall and closed .by abottom wall. r

The post members 18 each having the lower end portion 19 thereofreceived within a respective one of the sockets 20 may be any suitablemembers, such as rods or tubular members for lightness in weight, andare adapted to be gripped or grasped by an individual standing on thestep stool 1. The lower end portion 19 preferably has a smallerdimension than the remainder of the respective post member 18 therebydefining'a surface or shoulder adapted to engage the upper surface ofthe second step member or platform 15.

The step stool 1 may be used with. one or both of the post members 18 asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 or the top member 18 may be mounted on theupper ends of the post members 18 to be grasped by a person using thestep stool l. The top member 18' mayalso be used as a platform forsupporting selected items thereon by a person standing on the base 2,first step member 8, or the second step memberor platform 15.

While the wedge fit of the lower end 5 of the standard 4 in the firstsocket 6, thewedge fit of the lower end 9 of each of the dependingportions 10 of the first step member 8 inthe respective second socket11, and the wedge fit of the upper end 17 of the standard 4 in thedepending socket 16 is sufficient to provide a substantially rigidstructure when in use, it may be preferable to provide means foreffecting seating engagement of the standard or support member 4 on thebase 2 and seating engagement of the second step member or platform 15'on the support member or standard 4 and to retain said seatingengagement.

Therefore, an elongated shaft 49 extends through the support member orstandard 4 and has a head portion 50 thereof adapted to be received inthe recess 46 in the second step member 15 and a threaded end portion 51extending through the guide sleeve 34 in the bottom wall 33 defining thefirst socket 6 in the base 2. A suitable nut, such as a wing nut 52, ismounted on the threaded end portion 51 of the elongated shaft 49 andpositioned within the hollow base 2 whereby tightening of the wing nut52 against the guide sleeve 34 effects seating of the second step member15 on the upper end 17 of the upstanding standard or support member 4and seating of the lower end 5 of the standard 4 in the first socket 6,as by engagement of the shoulder 40 on the lower end of the standard 4with the flat top 7 of the base 2.

The elongated shaft 49' effects a substantially rigid structureparticularly when the first step member 8 has the lower end 9 of each ofthe depending portions 10 wedge fit within the respective second socket11 and the hook portion 14 received within the aperture 12 in the flatportion 37 of the first step member 8.

The base 2 may be used separately as a step stool with a person standingor sitting on the flat top 7 of the base 2. It is a simple operation toassemble the illustrated step stool 1 including mounting the first stepmember 8 and the second step member on the base 2 whichincludespositioning the lower end 5 of the standard 4 in the firstsocket 6 with the hook portion 14 extending toward the front wall 21 ofthe base 2. The lower end 9 of each of the depending portions 10 of thefirst step member 8 is positioned in the respec tive second socket 11and moved downwardly to wedge fit within said respective second socket11. The aperture 12 is positioned above and aligned with the hookportion 14 during movement of the first step member 8 for seating thelower end 9 of each of the depending portions 10 in the second socket11. The platform or second step member 15 is positioned on the upper end17 of the standard 4 with the depending socket 16 engaging the upper end17 and the lower edge 45 of the side walls 44 defining the dependingsocket 16 in engagement with the shoulder 42 adjacent the upper endl7'of the standard 4. The elongated shaft 49 is moved through theaperture 47 in the recess 46 and through the tubular standard 4 andthrough the guide sleeve 34 in the bottom wall33 of the first socket 6.The wing nut 52 is mounted on the threaded end portion 51 of theelongated shaft 49 and tightened against the guide sleeve 34 untilseating of the second step member 15 on the upper end 17 and seating ofthe lower end 5 of the standard 4 in the first socket 6 is accomplished.The step stool l is thereby assembled for use. The guide members 18 maythen be mounted in the sockets 20 if desired.

it is noted that the step stool may be a two step structure includingthe base 2, standard 4, and platform 15 or a three step structure asillustrated. Additional step members may be positioned between theplatform 15 and the illustrated first step member 8 with each of theadditional step members having a flat portion and a pair of postportions depending therefrom to be supported on the next lower member,as by having a lower end of each of the depending portions received in arespective socket in the next lower member and having an aperture in theflat portion adapted to receive a respective hook portion extending fromthe standard 4.

The base 2, step member 8, platform 15, and top member 18 each may bemolded of a suitable synthetic resinous material. A number of syntheticresinous ma-' terials are available for forming the step stool of thepresent invention and these materials include the thermoplastics ofwhich polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, andacrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (commonly referred to as A B S) areexamples. High density structural foam plastic or synthetic resin, forexample, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene,polystyrene, or the like may be used to thereby form a light weightrigid structure.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a modified form of step stool 60 having abase 61 which is substantially similar to the base 2 of the stepstool 1. The base 61 has a flat top 62 having a tread surface portion 63on a forward or front portion thereof. The stool has a plurality ofstops or a platform supported on the base 61. In the structureillustrated, the base 61 has a recess 64 in the flat top 62 defining agenerally U-shaped path, for a purpose later described. An aperture 65is positioned in the fiat top 62 of .the base 61 and is positionedadjacent the recess 64.

A column or support member 66 is adapted to have one end thereofreceived within the recess 64 and the column or support member extendsupwardly from the flat top 62 of the base 61 for supporting at least onestep member thereon, as later described. The illustrated column orsupport member 66 includes spaced side walls 67 and 68 and a web member69 extending therebetween whereby a lower end 70 of the column orsupport member 66 is generally U-shaped and is thereby adapted to bereceived within the recess 64 in the flat top 62 of the base 61.

An upper end 71 of the column or supportmember I 66 includes the spacedside walls 67 and 68 and the web member 69 extending therebetween and anarm 72 spaced from the web member 69 and extending between the sidewalls 67 and 68 to thereby provide support for a platform 73, as laterdescribed, on the upper end 71.

The column or support member 66 includes a'second arm 74'extendingbetween the side walls 67 and 68 and positioned below the arm 72 at theupper end 71 of the column or support member 66. Facing surfaces of theside walls 67 and 68 each have spaced upper and lower enlarged portions75 and 76 respectively which cooperate with the second arm 74 to receiveand support a step member 77, as later described. One of theenlargedportions, or examplethe lower enlarged portion 76, on each of thesidewalls 67 and 68 is aligned with and extends from thesecond arm 74thereby defining a substantially coplanar surface for supporting thestep member 77.

The platform 73 mounted on the upper end 71 of the column or supportmember 66 is illustrated as a generally planar member having a treadsurface portion 78 mounted on an upper surface thereof. The platform 73has a recess 79 in the lower surface thereof and the rec ess 79 isadapted to receive therein the upper end 71 of the column or supportmember 66.

A recess 80-is formed in the upper surface of the platform 73 bysuitable surfaces and the recess 80 has an aperture 81, for apurposelater described, in one of the surfaces defining the recess 80 and theaperture 81 is preferably coaxially aligned with the aperture 65 in theflat top 62 of the base 61.

The platform 73 includes at least one socket 82 adjacent a rear edge .83of the platform 73 and-the socket 82 is preferably defined by aside walland is closed by a bottom wall. The side wall defining the socket 82'has a key slot 84 adapted to receive a key 85, for a purpose laterdescribed. I I

The step member 77 is illustrated as a generally planar member having aflat portion with a tread surface portion 86mounted thereon. The stepmember 77 includes a tongue portion 87 extending therefrom and thetongue portion 87 has an aperture 88 therein with the aperture 88 beingcoaxially alignable with the aperture 65in the flat top of the base 61and the aperture 81 in the" recess8 in the upper surface of the platform73. Opposite side edges of the tongue portion 87 are adapted to bereceived between the enlarged portion 75 and 76 on the respective facingsurfaces of the side walls 67 and 68. I

An elongated shaft 89 extends through the column or support member 66and has a head portion 90 thereof adapted 'to be received inthe recess80 in the upper surface of the platform 73 and a threaded end portion 91extending through the aperture 65 in the flat top 62 of the base 61. Theelongated shaft 89 also extends through the aperture 88 in the tongueportion 87 of the step member 77. A suitable nut, such as a wing nut 92,is mounted on thethreaded end portion 91 of the elongated shaft 89 andpositioned within the hollow base 61 whereby tightening of the wing nut92 against a lower surface of the flat top 62 of the base 61 effectsseating of the platform 73 on the upper end 71 of the column or supportmember 66 and seating of the lower end 70 of the column or supportmember 66 inthe recess 64 in the flat top 62 of the base 61. t

- The modified step stool 60 preferably includes at least onesteadyingmember having a lower end portion thereof suitablyt suppo rted on theplatform 73 and extending upwardly therefrom to be grasped by a personusing the modified step stool 60. In the illustrated structure, a postmember 83 has'a lower end portion 94 adapted to be received within thesocket 82 in the platform 73 and preferably has a key way 95 adapted toreceive the key 85 to prevent relative turning between the post'member93 and the platform 73.

The illustrated post member 93 has a top member 96 mounted thereon, asby welding, and having portions extending outwardly therefrom to formhandle portions on opposite sides of the post member 93 whereby eitherthe post member 93 or the top member 96 may be grasped by a person usingthe modified step stool 60.

or support member 66 being received within the recess 79in the lowersurface of the platform 73. The step member 77 is mounted on the columnor support member 66 with the lower surface thereof supported on thesecond arm 74 and opposite edges of the tongue portion 87 receivedwithin the space between the enlarged portions and 76 on the facingsurfaces of the side walls 67 and 68. The aperture 88 is aligned withthe aperture 81 in the platform 73 and the aperture 65 in the flat top62-of the base 61 to thereby permit the elongated shaft 89 to extendthrough the platform 73, step member 77, and flat top 62 of the base 61.Thewing nut 92 is mounted on the threaded end portion 91 of theelongated shaft 89 and tightened to effect seating of the column orsupport member 66 on the flat top 62 of the base 61 and seating of theplatform 73 on the upper end 71 of the column or support member 66. Thsi post member 93 is mounted in the socket 82 in the platform 73 and thekey is positioned in the key slot 84 in the side wall defining thesocket 82 in the key way in the lower end portion 94 of the post member93. The modified step stool 60 is thereby assembled for use.

It is to be understood that while I have illustratedand describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. I

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A step stoolcomprising: v

a. a hollow base having a. generally flat top and means on said base forengaging a support'surface, said flat top having anupwardly openingrecess therein;

b. an upstanding support member havingan upper end and a lower end; 1

c. cooperating means on said lower end of said support member extendinginto said upwardly opening recess for mounting said support member onsaid base and in an upstanding position;

d. a platform having a generally flatportion with a downwardly openingrecess therein;

e. cooperating means on the upper end of said support member andextending into said downwardly opening recess of the flat portion ofsaid platform A for mounting said platform on said support rnember;

a step member having a generally flat portion, said step member beingpositioned between said flat top of said base and said flat portion ofsaid platform;

cooperating means on said step member and on said support member formounting said step member on said support member; and v elongateconnector means extending between said flat portion of said platform andsaid flat top of said base and having abuttment means adjustable thereonand engaging said flat-portion of said platform and said flat top ofsaid base to draw same toward each other for effecting seating of saidplatform on said upper end of said support member and seating of saidlower end of said support member on said flat top of said base. A 2. Astep stool as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said base is generally rectangular in shape with rounded corners;

b. a plurality of rollers resiliently mounted on said base inwardly ofthe means thereon for engaging a support surface, said rollers rollablysupporting said step stool to normally space said support surfaceengaging means from the support surface under no-load conditions, saidresilient mounting permitting said support engaging means to engage thesupport surface in response to slight pressure applied to one of thebase, top, step and platform.

3. A step stool as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a socket in said platform; and

b. a post member having one end portion thereof received with saidsocket insaid platform, said post member extending generally upwardlyfrom said platform.

4. A step stool comprising:

a. a hollow base having a generally flat top and a lower peripheral rim,said flat top having an upwardly opening recess therein;

b. a. floor engaging bumper secured to said lower peripheral rim;

c. an upstanding support member having an upper end and a lower end;

d. cooperating means on said lower end of said support member extendinginto and seating in said upwardly opening recess for mounting saidsupport member on said base and in an upstanding position;

e. a first step member having a generally flat portion;

f. means on said support member and on said flat portion of said flatstep member for mounting said first step member on said support member;

g. a second step member having a generally flat portion and a downwardlyopening recess;

h. cooperating means in the upper end of said support member andextending into and seating in said downwardly opening recess of saidsecond step member for mounting said second step member on said supportmember;

i. elongate connector means extending between said second step memberand said base flat top and having abuttment means adjustable meansthereon and engaging said base flat top and said second step member todraw some toward each other for retaining seating engagement of saidcooperating means on the lower end of said support member in saidupwardly opening recess of said base and seating engagement of saidcooperating means on the upper end of said support member in saiddownwardly opening recess of said second step member; and

j. a plurality of collapsible casters mounted on said base for rollablysupporting said base and said first and second step member under no-loadcondition and collapsible under application of load to one of said baseand said first step member and said second step member to allow saidbumper to engage a floor surface.

5. A step stool as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said base upwardly opening recess in the base is a first socket and apair of second sockets defined by walls depending from the flat top ofsaid base;

b. the cooperating means on the lower end of said support member is awedge shape to fit within the first socket depending from the flat topof said base and a shoulder in engagement with said flat top of saidbase;

c. the downwardly opening recess of said second step member is a socketdefined by a wall depending from the flat portion of said second stepportion and having a lower edge;

d. the cooperating means on the upper end of said support member is awedge shape to fit within the socket depending from the flat portion ofsaid second step member and a shoulder in engagement with the lower edgeof the wall defining said socket depending from the flat portion of saidsecond step member;

e. said support member has a hook portion extending therefrom andpositioned intermediate the ends thereof;

the flat portion of said first step member has an apertu're thereinadapted to receive thehook portion extending from said support member;and

g. said first step member has a pair of spaced depending portions eachshaped to wedge fit withina respective one of said second socketsdepending from the flat top of said base.

6. A step stool as set forth in claim 5 whereinz a. one of the wallsdefining the first socket depending from'said base is positioned toclose a lower end of said first socket and has an aperture therein;

b. said second step member has surfaces defining a recess in the flatportion thereof; f. c. one of the surfaces defining the recess in saidsecond step member has an aperture therein aligned with the dependingsocket and alignable with the aperture 'in the one wall of the wallsdefining said 1 first socket in said base; V

d. said support member is tubular;

e. said elongate connector means is aneelongated shaft extending throughsaid support member and the abuttment means includes a head portionthereof received in said recess in said second step member, said shafthaving a threaded end portion extending through the aperture in the onewall of the walls definingthe first socket depending from said fiat topof said base; and

f. said abuttment means also including means mounted on the threaded endportion of the elongated shaft and engageable with the one wall of thewalls defining the first socket depending from said flat top of saidbase for effecting seating of the second step member on said 'sup-' portmember and seating of said support member in said first socket dependingfrom said flat top of said base and for retaining said seatingengage Iment. 7. A step stool as set forth in claim 4 including: a. wallsdefining a plurality of upwardly open sockets f in the flat portion ofsaid platform; and b. a plurality of post members each having one endportion thereof received within a respective one of said sockets in saidplatform, said post members each extending generally upwardly from saidplatform. 8. A step stool comprising:

a. a base having a generally flat top and means in said base forengaging a support surface; b. an upstanding support member having anupper end and a lower end, the lower end of said support member beinggenerally U-shaped and including spaced side walls and a web memberextending between said side walls;

c. cooperating means on said base and on the lower end of said supportmember for mounting said support member on said base and in anupstanding position, said cooperating means including the flat top ofsaid base having a recess therein adapted to receive said lower end ofsaid support member;

d. a platform having a generally flat portion; e. cooperating means onthe upper end of said supf. the upper end of said support member havingspaced side walls and a web member extending between said side walls andan arm spaced from said web member and extending between said sidewalls;

g. means engaging and extending between said platform and said base foreffecting seating engagement of said support memberon said base memberand seating engagement of said platform on said support member andretaining seating engagement.

9. A step stool as set forth in claim 8 including: a. a step memberhaving a generally flat portion, said step member being positionedbetween said flat top of said base and said flat portion of saidplatform; and

b. cooperating means on said step member and on said support member for.mounting said step member on said support member.

10. A step stool as set forth in claim-9 whereinr' a. the flat top ofsaid base has an aperture therein;

b. said platform has an aperture therein aligned with the aperture insaid flat top of said base; v

c. an elongated shaft extends through said support member and has a headportion engaging said platform and a threaded end portion extendingthrough the aperture in the flat top of said base; and

d. means aremountedon the threaded end portion of the elongated shaftfor effecting seating'of the platform on said support member and seatingof said support member in said recess in said base.

11. A step stool as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

a. said step member has a tongue'portion extending therefrom;

b. said tongue portion of said step member has an aperture therein forsaid elongated shaft to extend therethrough;

c; said support member has a second arm extending between said sidewalls and positioned below said first named arm. at the upper end ofsaid support member; j

(1. said step member is in supported engagement with said second arm;and I I e. facing surfaces of said side walls of said support membereach have spaced enlarged portions thereon adapted to receive the tongueportion of said step member therebetween.

12. A step stool as set forth in claim 11 including:

a. at least one socket in said platform; and

b. at least one post member having one end portion thereof received insaid socket in said platform,

said post member extending generally upwardly.

from said platform.

1. A step stool comprising: a. a hollow base having a generally flat topand means on said base for engaging a support surface, said flat tophaving an upwardly opening recess therein; b. an upstanding supportmember having an upper end and a lower end; c. cooperating means on saidlower end of said support member extending into said upwardly openingrecess for mounting said support member on said base and in anupstanding position; d. a platform having a generally flat portion witha downwardly opening recess therein; e. cooperating means on the upperend of said support member and extending into said downwardly openingrecess of the flat portion of said platform for mounting said platformon said support member; f. a step member having a generally flatportion, said step member being positioned between said flat top of saidbase and said flat portion of said platform; g. cooperating means onsaid step member and on said support member for mounting said stepmember on said support member; and h. elongate connector means extendingbetween said flat portion of said platform and said flat top of saidbase and having abuttment means adjustable thereon and engaging saidflat portion of said platform and said flat top of said base to drawsame toward each other for effecting seating of said platform on saidupper end of said support member and seating of said lower end of saidsupport member on said flat top of said base.
 2. A step stool as setforth in Claim 1 wherein: a. said base is generally rectangular in shapewith rounded corners; b. a plurality of rollers resiliently mounted onsaid base inwardly of the means thereon for engaging a support surface,said rollers rollably supporting said step stool to normally space saidsupport surface engaging means from the support surface under no-loadconditions, said resilient mounting permitting said support engagingmeans to engage the support surface in response to slight pressureapplied to one of the base, top, step and platform.
 3. A step stool asset forth in claim 1 including: a. a socket in said platform; and b. apost member having one end portion thereof received with said socket insaid platform, said post member extending generally upwardly from saidplatform.
 4. A step stool comprising: a. a hollow base having agenerally flat top and a lower peripheral rim, said flat top having anupwardly opening recess therein; b. a floor engaging bumper secured tosaid lower peripheral rim; c. an upstanding support member having anupper end and a lower end; d. cooperating means on said lower end ofsaid support member extending into and seating in said upwardly openingrecess for mounting said support member on said base and in anupstanding position; e. a first step member having a generally flatportion; f. means on said support member and on said flat portion ofsaid flat step member for mounting said first step member on saidsupport member; g. a second step member having a generally flat portionand a downwardly opening recess; h. cooperating means in the upper endof said support member and extending into and seating in said downwardlyopening recess of said second step member for mounting said second stepmember on said support member; i. elongate connector means extendingbetween said second step member and said base flat top and havingabuttment means adjustable means thereon and engaging said base flat topand said second step member to draw some toward each other for retainingseating engagement of said cooperating means on the lower end of saidsupport member in said upwardly opening recess of said base and seatingengagement of said cooperating means on the upper end of said supportmember in said downwardly opening recess of said second step member; andj. a plurality of collapsible casters mounted on said base for rollablysupporting said base and said first and second step member under no-loadcondition and collapsible under application of load to one of said baseand said first step member and said second step member to allow saidbumper to engage a floor surface.
 5. A step stool as set forth in claim4 wherein: a. said base upwardly opening recess in the base is a firstsocket and a pair of second sockets defined by walls depending from theflat top of said base; b. the cooperating means on the lower end of saidsupport member is a wedge shape to fit within the first socket dependingfrom the flat top of said base and a shoulder in engagement with saidflat top of said base; c. the downwardly opening recess of said secondstep member is a socket defined by a wall depending from the flatportion of said second step portion and having a lower edge; d. thecooperating means on the upper end of said support member is a wedgeshape to fit within the socket depending from the flat portion of saidsecond step member and a shoulder in engagement with the lower edge ofthe wall defining said socket depending from the flat portion of saidsecond step member; e. said support member has a hook portion extendingtherefrom and positioned intermediate the ends thereof; the flat portionof said first step member has an aperture therein adapted to receive thehook portion extending from said support member; and g. said first stepmember has a pair of spaced depending portions each shaped to wedge fitwithin a respective one of said second sockets depending from the flatTop of said base.
 6. A step stool as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a.one of the walls defining the first socket depending from said base ispositioned to close a lower end of said first socket and has an aperturetherein; b. said second step member has surfaces defining a recess inthe flat portion thereof; c. one of the surfaces defining the recess insaid second step member has an aperture therein aligned with thedepending socket and alignable with the aperture in the one wall of thewalls defining said first socket in said base; d. said support member istubular; e. said elongate connector means is an elongated shaftextending through said support member and the abuttment means includes ahead portion thereof received in said recess in said second step member,said shaft having a threaded end portion extending through the aperturein the one wall of the walls defining the first socket depending fromsaid flat top of said base; and said abuttment means also includingmeans mounted on the threaded end portion of the elongated shaft andengageable with the one wall of the walls defining the first socketdepending from said flat top of said base for effecting seating of thesecond step member on said support member and seating of said supportmember in said first socket depending from said flat top of said baseand for retaining said seating engagement.
 7. A step stool as set forthin claim 4 including: a. walls defining a plurality of upwardly opensockets in the flat portion of said platform; and b. a plurality of postmembers each having one end portion thereof received within a respectiveone of said sockets in said platform, said post members each extendinggenerally upwardly from said platform.
 8. A step stool comprising: a. abase having a generally flat top and means in said base for engaging asupport surface; b. an upstanding support member having an upper end anda lower end, the lower end of said support member being generallyU-shaped and including spaced side walls and a web member extendingbetween said side walls; c. cooperating means on said base and on thelower end of said support member for mounting said support member onsaid base and in an upstanding position, said cooperating meansincluding the flat top of said base having a recess therein adapted toreceive said lower end of said support member; d. a platform having agenerally flat portion; e. cooperating means on the upper end of saidsupport member and the flat portion of said platform for mounting saidplatform on said support member, said cooperating means including theflat portion of said platform having a recess therein adapted to receiveupper end of said support member; f. the upper end of said supportmember having spaced side walls and a web member extending between saidside walls and an arm spaced from said web member and extending betweensaid side walls; g. means engaging and extending between said platformand said base for effecting seating engagement of said support member onsaid base member and seating engagement of said platform on said supportmember and retaining seating engagement.
 9. A step stool as set forth inclaim 8 including: a. a step member having a generally flat portion,said step member being positioned between said flat top of said base andsaid flat portion of said platform; and b. cooperating means on saidstep member and on said support member for mounting said step member onsaid support member.
 10. A step stool as set forth in claim 9 wherein:a. the flat top of said base has an aperture therein; b. said platformhas an aperture therein aligned with the aperture in said flat top ofsaid base; c. an elongated shaft extends through said support member andhas a head portion engaging said platform and a threaded end portionextending through the aperture in the flat top of said base; and d.means are mounted on the threaded end portion of the elOngated shaft foreffecting seating of the platform on said support member and seating ofsaid support member in said recess in said base.
 11. A step stool as setforth in claim 10 wherein: a. said step member has a tongue portionextending therefrom; b. said tongue portion of said step member has anaperture therein for said elongated shaft to extend therethrough; c.said support member has a second arm extending between said side wallsand positioned below said first named arm at the upper end of saidsupport member; d. said step member is in supported engagement with saidsecond arm; and e. facing surfaces of said side walls of said supportmember each have spaced enlarged portions thereon adapted to receive thetongue portion of said step member therebetween.
 12. A step stool as setforth in claim 11 including: a. at least one socket in said platform;and b. at least one post member having one end portion thereof receivedin said socket in said platform, said post member extending generallyupwardly from said platform.